Horizon Pharma weighs sale of primary care unit -sources

(Reuters) - Specialty drugmaker Horizon Pharma PLC (HZNP.O) is working with investment bank Morgan Stanley (MS.N) to review strategic options for its primary care drugs business, including a potential sale of the unit, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Dublin-based Horizon is in talks with a number of parties interested in acquiring the asset, expected to generate annual revenue of $350 million in sales in 2017, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. They added that the talks are in early stages and may not result in a sale.

Horizon declined to comment. Morgan Stanley did not respond to a request for comment.

The move would complete Horizon’s years-long transition away from reliance on drugs prescribed by primary care doctors, including arthritis drug Duexis, and toward drugs treating rare diseases, which are often better insulated from pricing pressure.

Horizon has invested heavily in building a franchise to treat rare diseases in recent years. It has acquired companies such as Raptor Pharmaceuticals, which treats ailments including a rare metabolic disorder, and Crealta, which treats chronic gout.